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Flu not flying in Abilene yet, but protection still needed

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2014, file photo, a sign telling customers that they can get a flu shot in a Walgreen store is seen in Indianapolis. Kids may get more of a sting from flu vaccination this fall: Doctors are gearing up to give shots only, because U.S. health officials say the easy-to-use nasal spray version of the vaccine isn't working as well as a jab. Needle-phobic adults still have some less painful options. But FluMist, with its squirt into each nostril, was the only ouch-free alternative for children, and has accounted for about a third of pediatric flu vaccinations in recent years. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)(Photo: AP)

The flu has not yet made great inroads into Abilene, those following the illness’ progress so far say.

But just because it’s not a problem now doesn’t mean it won’t be later.

And despite some concerns about the overall effectiveness of this year’s immunization, it’s still the best way to protect yourself, experts agree.

Paulina Rodriquez, infection control practitioner at Abilene Regional Medical Center, said that cases are tracking similarly to last year.

Conventional wisdom has it that Abilene’s flu is worst in January and February. Rodriquez said that her own figures show the flu last year doubled its numbers around Jan 22.

“And so they kind of doubled and kept escalating until February 25, 2016,” she said. “February is usually the peak season for numbers to grow.”

Beth Lantrip, infection preventionist with Hendrick Medical Center, said that in Public Health Region 2/3 – which includes Abilene – the current Influenza Activity Level is “Local,” above "Minimal" and "Sporadic," but below "Regional" and "Widespread."

Just under 12 percent (11.9) of all influenza tests in the region were positive, with 4 percent of patients reporting influenza-like illness. That’s above the region’s baseline of 3.3 percent for the past week.

In Texas, 5.6 percent of patients presented with influenza-like illness, below the statewide baseline of 6.3 percent for the past week. Around 10 percent of tests reported to the state were positive. One influenza-associated pediatric death has been reported so far this season in Texas.

While there has been a lot of discussion about vaccine efficiency after an article from Australia reported only 10 percent effectiveness this year, there’s more to the story than that, Lantrip said.

“Even in years when the vaccine effectiveness isn’t as high, the vaccine still offers better protection than nothing,” she said. “Even in 2017, Americans die from influenza and influenza-related illness. As a community, we need to protect the vulnerable – those at high risk for developing flu-related complications – among us.”

Those include infants six months and under, Children under the age of five, especially those younger than two, adults 65 and older, and people who have medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, blood disorders, kidney disorders, liver disorders, etc., she said.

“Even if you still get the flu, vaccination can reduce the length of time you are sick,” she said.

The CDC notes that the 10 percent figure is an Australian interim estimate of the vaccine’s benefit against one flu virus – the H3N2 virus – that circulated in Australia during its most recent flu season.

“That being said, the authors of the preliminary Australian study did make a point of saying in their article that annual vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent influenza infection each year,” Lantrip said in an email.

In the United States last season, overall vaccine effectiveness against all circulating flu viruses was 39 percent and the effectiveness was only a bit lower, 32 percent, against H3N2 viruses.

“It just depends actually on each region,” Rodriquez said. “Some regions see more flu A, which is common, some regions more flu B. Once in a while, you’ll get a combination of A and B.”

This season’s flu vaccine includes the same H3N2 vaccine component as last season, and most circulating H3N2 viruses that have been tested in the US this season are still similar to the H3N2 vaccine virus.

Based on this data, CDC believes that vaccine effectiveness estimates from last season are likely to be a better predictor of the benefits to expect this season against circulating H3N2 viruses in the US.

Abilene pharmacist James McCoy said he hasn’t seen a large number of people coming in with flu so far, but he similarly advocated shots for those who haven’t had them.

“If you get the flu shot, at least you’ve done everything in your power to keep from getting it,” McCoy said. “Most insurances are paying for flu shots, so it’s really not a cost to you. But it is a wise choice – it’s a healthy choice.”

Rodriquez said that even if you get vaccinated in January, February or March, it’s much better than not being vaccinated at all.

It takes two weeks for the vaccine to be effective and flu is already active in our community, Lantrip said.

Otherwise, common sense practices can help you stave off some of the chance of being sick or making others ill, both Lantrip and Rodriquez said.

Those practices include avoiding those who are sick, staying home if you’re sick (until you’ve been fever-free without medicine for more than 24 hours), washing or sanitizing hands often, covering coughs or sneezes, and avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth.

In addition, you should clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces often, especially if someone is sick.